STEP BY STEP DIY BOKEH

how to make a bokeh cap for your Canon dslr – here’s one we made earlier…

01 Card PREPPING

Cut out a strip of black card that will fit around your lens barrel, then tape it together to form a cylinder. Place your lens face down on another piece of cardboard, trace its outline with a pencil, then draw a slightly larger circle around this.

02 PICK a SHAPE

Draw your chosen bokeh shape in the centre of the card circle. Simple shapes are effective – think hearts, stars or lightning bolts. Cut out the shape carefully with a sharp blade and mat. Alternatively, use a mini shape puncher for this step (found in craft shops).

03 STICK IT TOGETHER

Next, cut out around the largest circle from the surrounding cardboard. Cut in from the big circle to the inner one to make some tabs. Fold the tabs back, then stick them to the outside of the cylinder you made in the first step. Black tape works best here.

04 GOOD TO GO

Use enough tape to prevent light leaks. Your crafting is now finished. Wait until it’s dark to shoot, or, just pull the curtains over. Focus on your subject first, without the bokeh cap on the lens. Then place the hood on the lens, adjust the exposure, and get going.